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Children's Activity

Commentary

Children's bulletin

Children's Liturgy and Story

Children's sermon

The Immediate Word

The Hiddenness Of God And God's Human Witnesses -- Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22, Mark 9:38-50 -- Carter Shelley -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
A Sword Will Pierce Your Own Soul Also -- Deuteronomy 18:15-20, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, Mark 1:21-28 -- George L. Murphy -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B
Dear fellow preachers,
What's A Marriage For? -- Mark 10:2-16, Genesis 2:18-24 -- James Evans -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Christian Perspectives On War -- Isaiah 40:21-31, 1 Corinthians 9:16-23, Mark 1:29-39 -- Carter Shelley -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,
Can You Handle The Truth? -- Mark 10:17-31, Job 23:1-9, 16-17, Hebrews 4:12-16 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B
Dear Fellow Preacher:
The Prophet's Prescription -- 2 Kings 5:1-14, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Mark 1:40-45 -- Carlos Wilton -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B
Dear Fellow Preachers
When Jesus Says "no" -- Mark 10:35-45 -- Carlos Wilton -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Who Needs Forgiveness? -- Isaiah 43:18-25, 2 Corinthians 1:18-22, Mark 2:1-12 -- George L. Murphy -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,
Why Is It Called The "world" Series? -- Job 42:1-6, 10-17, Mark 10:46-52, Psalm 126 -- Carter Shelley -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B
Dear Fellow Preacher:
Sometimes God Is There -- So Quickly! -- 2 Kings 2:1-12, 2 Corinthians 4:3-6, Mark 9:2-9 -- Carter Shelley -- Transfiguration Sunday - B
Dear fellow preachers,
In Giving, We Receive -- 1 Kings 17:8-16, Mark 12:38-44 -- Carlos Wilton -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
My Big Fat Greek Religion -- Genesis 9:8-17, 1 Peter 3:18-22, Mark 1:9-15 -- Carlos Wilton -- First Sunday in Lent - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,
But The End Is Not Yet -- Mark 13:1-8 -- James Evans -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Take Up Whose Cross? -- Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38 -- George L. Murphy -- Second Sunday in Lent - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,
Is It Good To Be King? -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7, John 18:33-37 -- Carter Shelley -- Thanksgiving Day - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Reverence At Ballgames -- Exodus 20:1-17, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, John 2:13-22 -- Carter Shelley -- Third Sunday in Lent - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,
Is It Good To Be King? -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7, John 18:33-37 -- Carter Shelley -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Lights Over Baghdad -- Numbers 21:4-9, Ephesians 2:1-10, John 3:14-21 -- Carlos Wilton -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,
Universal Salvation, Universal Scandal, Or What? -- Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews 5:5-10, John 12:20-33 -- George L. Murphy -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,

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Do you believe? -- 1 John 1:1--2:2 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
Good morning, boys and girls. Today we are going to do something special.
Echoing God's love -- Ephesians 4:25--5:2 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B
Good morning, boys and girls.
A healthy church -- Ephesians 4:1-16 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B
The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors an
Christ is risen -- John 20:19-31 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
Good morning, boys and girls. Easter was wonderful, wasn't it?
Our Good Shepherd too! -- Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B
Good morning! I don't know how much you know about sheep.
Simon says ... -- Ephesians 4:25--5:2 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B
Today we read where the apostle Paul says that we should be "imitators of God." What is an "imitat

Children's Story

Communicating God's Love

Devotional

Drama

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Author Herbert Tarr tells the story of a boy... -- 2 Kings 2:1-12 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 2011
Author Herbert Tarr tells the story of a boy by the name of David whose parents died when he was ver
For all of the work that goes into making a garden... -- Isaiah 61:10--62:3 -- Brian Hohmeier -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2011
For all of the work that goes into making a garden productive and healthy, there is something self-p
When Helmut Thielicke, the great German Lutheran pastor and theologian... -- Genesis 1:1-5 -- Richard A. Hasler -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2011
When Helmut Thielicke, the great German Lutheran pastor and theologian, indicated that he proposed t
What is the connection... -- Mark 13:24-37 -- Richard A. Hasler -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
What is the connection between Mark's depiction of the last day and the life, death, and resurrectio
It's an old cliche... -- 2 Kings 2:1-12 -- Craig Kelly -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 2011
It's an old cliche that the only certainties in life are death and taxes.
John Wesley had firmly established his societies... -- Isaiah 61:10--62:3 -- Ron Love -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2011
John Wesley had firmly established his societies of believers who became known as Methodists for the
William Shatner for years avoided any convention... -- Acts 19:1-7 -- Ron Love -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2011
William Shatner for years avoided any convention that was related to the television series Star T
In the past, common entertainment included... -- Mark 13:24-37 -- Ron Love -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
In the past, common entertainment included playing cards.
The movie Sarah's Key... -- 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 -- Ron Love -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 2011
The movie Sarah's Key is based on the novel of the same title.
I have been privileged to be the uncle of an adopt... -- Galatians 4:4-7 -- Craig Kelly -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2011
I have been privileged to be the uncle of an adopted nephew.
Walker Percy as a young college student... -- Mark 1:4-11 -- Richard A. Hasler -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2011
Walker Percy as a young college student emulated the spirit of John when he said, "The one who is mo
Multiple Illustrations for Advent 2 -- Isaiah 40:1-11, 2 Peter 3:8-15a, Mark 1:1-8 -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
Isaiah 40:1-11
Whenever I read this passage... -- Mark 9:2-9 -- Craig Kelly -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 2011
Whenever I read this passage, I always think of the phrase "true colors." The term refers to the ide
Dorothy Day, the social activist who later became... -- Galatians 4:4-7 -- Richard A. Hasler -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2011
Dorothy Day, the social activist who later became a devout Roman Catholic and continued to reach out
Growing up in a musical family... -- Mark 1:4-11 -- Craig Kelly -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2011
Growing up in a musical family, I've had the opportunity to get something of an insider's view into
What's the most comforting thing you've been told... -- Isaiah 40:1-11 -- Brian Hohmeier -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
What's the most comforting thing you've been told when you feel like life is beating down on you, wh
In one of my favorite Charlie Brown cartoons... -- Mark 9:2-9 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 2011
In one of my favorite Charlie Brown cartoons Charlie is listening to Lucy, who confesses, "Sometimes
Before they were to wed, Kat von D got a tattoo... -- Luke 2:22-40 -- Ron Love -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2011
Before they were to wed, Kat von D got a tattoo of her betrothed Jesse James, underneath her left ar
Almost 75% of Americans are now considered overweight... -- 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 -- Craig Kelly -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2011
According to Forbes, it is now estimated that almost 75% of Americans are now considered overweight
In the year 1520 Martin Luther... -- 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2011
In the year 1520 Martin Luther, the German reformer, wrote his small treatise titled The Freedom
Prominent on the upper left arm of Angelina Jolie... -- Isaiah 40:1-11 -- Ron Love -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
Prominent on the upper left arm of Angelina Jolie was the name of her husband, Billy Bob Thornton.
Francis of Assisi grew up in a wealthy Italian family... -- 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 2011
Francis of Assisi grew up in a wealthy Italian family.
Cadel Evans of Australia... -- John 1:43-51 -- Ron Love -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2011
Cadel Evans of Australia never lost his vision; he never lost his hope; he never lost his perseveran
'Are we there yet? Are we there yet?' -- 2 Peter 3:8-15a -- Craig Kelly -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
"Are we there yet? Are we there yet?" is an often-heard line on long trips.
How many times have we faced a situation where someone died suddenly... -- 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10 -- Craig Kelly -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 2011
How many times have we faced a situation where someone died suddenly?

Intercession

Poems

Political Pulpit

Prayer

Preaching

The Immediate Word

Speaking Of Peace -- Mark 6:14-29, Ephesians 1:3-14, 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19, Psalm 24 -- Thom M. Shuman, Wesley T. Runk -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B
It's not news that many places in the world are torn apart by war -- nevertheless, recent headlines
From Quid Pro Quo To Heck No! -- Israel Strikes Back -- Mark 6:30-34, 53-56, Ephesians 2:11-22, 2 Samuel 7:1-14a -- Carter Shelley, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B
It's often said that "anything is possible if you truly put your mind to it," but the offbeat experi
Scandal, Betrayal, Hope, Thanksgiving -- Mark 13:1-8, Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25, 1 Samuel 1:4-20, 1 Samuel 2:1-10 -- Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B
This week Stephen McCutchan will write about how the church gets through hard times by sticking toge
The Nurse Who Wouldn't Give Up -- Ephesians 4:1-3, John 6:24-35, 2 Samuel 11:26--12:13a, Psalm 51:1-12 -- Barbara Jurgensen, Carlos Wilton, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B
The grisly video images of dead children being removed from the rubble in Cana are only the latest r
Living With Anger -- Ephesians 4:25--5:2, John 6:35, 41-51, 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33, Psalm 130 -- Scott Suskovic, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B
The furor surrounding Mel Gibson and his outburst toward a police officer has been a major item in t
When The Darkness Deepens -- John 6:51-58, Ephesians 5:15-20, Psalm 111 -- Scott Suskovic, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B
The shocking news of the thwarting of a major plot to blow up several trans-Atlantic flights -- and
A Long-Distance Marriage -- John 6:56-69, Ephesians 6:10-20, 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43, Psalm 84 -- Barbara Jurgensen, Scott Suskovic, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B
Despite a brief firefight this past weekend, it seems that the United Nations-brokered ceasefire in
Every Perfect Gift -- Song of Solomon 2:8-13, James 1:17-27, Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23, Psalm 45:1-2, 6-9 -- Paul Bresnahan, Scott Suskovic, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B
The recent arrest of a suspect in the JonBenet Ramsey murder case has reignited a media frenzy -- on
Faithing Our Fears -- Mark 7:24-37, James 2:1-10 (11-13) 14-17, Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23, Psalm 125 -- Thom M. Shuman, Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B
Fear -- and our varying responses to it -- will likely be one of the enduring legacies from Hurrican

SermonStudio

Proper 20, Pentecost 18, Ordinary Time 25 -- Proverbs 31:10-31, James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a, Proverbs 31:10-31 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B
Seasonal Theme
Proper 19, Pentecost 17, Ordinary Time 24 -- Proverbs 1:20-33, James 3:1-12, Mark 8:27-38 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B
Seasonal Theme
Fifth Sunday After The Epiphany -- Isaiah 40:21-31, 1 Corinthians 9:16-23, Mark 1:29-39 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B
Seasonal ThemeJesus grows up and it begins to dawn on some who and what he is.
The Healing Of Simon Peter's Mother-In-Law -- Mark 1:29-31, Matthew 8:14-15 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B
1. Text
Proper 18, Pentecost 16, Ordinary Time 23 -- Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23, James 2:1-10 (11-13) 14-17, Mark 7:24-37 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B
Seasonal Theme
Fourth Sunday After The Epiphany -- Deuteronomy 18:15-20, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, Mark 1:21-28 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B
Seasonal ThemeJesus grows up and it begins to dawn on some who and what he is.
The Leper Healed -- Mark 1:40-45, Matthew 8:1-4 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B
1. Text
Proper 17, Pentecost 15, Ordinary Time 22 -- Song of Solomon 2:8-13, James 1:17-27, Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B
Seasonal Theme
Third Sunday After The Epiphany -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B
Seasonal ThemeJesus grows up and it begins to dawn on some who and what he is.
Healing The Paralyzed Man -- Mark 2:1-12, Matthew 9:1-8 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B
1. Text
The Withered Hand -- Mark 2:23--3:6, Matthew 12:9-14 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - B
1. Text
Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 -- 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43, Ephesians 6:10-20, John 6:56-69 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B
Seasonal Theme
Second Sunday After The Epiphany -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20), 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, John 1:43-51 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B
Seasonal ThemeJesus grows up and it begins to dawn on some who and what he is.
Stilling The Storm -- Mark 4:35-41, Luke 8:22-25 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B
1. Text
Proper 15, Pentecost 13, Ordinary Time 20 -- 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14, Ephesians 5:15-20, John 6:51-58 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B
Seasonal Theme
The Epiphany Of Our Lord -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Epiphany of the Lord - B
Seasonal Theme

Sermon

SermonStudio

Sanctified In The Truth -- John 17:6-19 -- Donna E. Schaper -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
When Jesus prays for his disciples, he asks that they be sanctified in the truth.
The Cross Reminds Us Who Jesus Is -- Who We Are -- Hebrews 10:16-25 -- John A. Stroman -- Good Friday - B -- 1999
The writer of Hebrews has been building up to this moment.
Beyond Personal Preferences -- 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 1999
In one of his early books (The Trouble with Parents, Zonder-van, 1978), Tim Stafford told of a youth
What's So Great About Jesus? -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7 -- John A. Stroman -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 1999
Today is the festival of Christ the King.
The Man With Two Umbrellas -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20) -- William L. Self -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 1999
The late Dr. J.
Junk Food And Holy Tables Or The Cup Of Good Friday -- John 18:1-19:42 -- Donna E. Schaper -- Good Friday - B -- 1999
Bread and wine go with communion the way turkey goes with Thanksgiving. They belong to each other.
Life -- And Then Some -- 1 John 5:9-13 -- John A. Stroman -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
The words of the text express clearly the central theme of 1 John.
Promiscuous Preaching -- 1 Corinthians 9:16-23 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 1999
When I was in high school we had a "spiritual awakening" at our school.
Taking The Good With The Bad -- Job 1:1; 2:1-10 -- John A. Stroman -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 1999
Once upon a time in the land of Uz there was a man whose name was Job.
Defining Moments -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10 -- William L. Self -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 1999
Throughout the Bible God caused defining moments in order to prepare leadership to begin new chapter
Famous Last Words -- Deuteronomy 18:15-20 -- William L. Self -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 1999
"Heavier-than-air flying machines are impossible." -- Lord Kelvin, President, Royal Society, 1895
The Baptism Of Jesus -- Mark 1:9-15 -- Donna E. Schaper -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 1999
When it comes to the Christian sacraments, Baptism or Eucharist, or those beyond these two central o
A Victorious Faith -- 1 John 5:1-6 -- John A. Stroman -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
The theme of the text is: anyone who believes Jesus is the Christ is born of God and by this faith o
Making Our Feelings Known -- Job 23:1-9, 16-17 -- John A. Stroman -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 1999
In our text Job makes his lament to God loud and clear, "Today also my complaint is bitter." The wo
What It Takes To Be A Winner -- Isaiah 40:21-31 -- William L. Self -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 1999
This text for the fifth Sunday of Epiphany is probably the most sublime passage of Scripture in the
Letting Death Go -- Mark 8:31-38 -- Donna E. Schaper -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 1999
Some gardeners can grow everything and others cannot.
Love's Expectations -- 1 John 4:7-21 -- John A. Stroman -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
Our text expresses the heart of the Gospel: God's love for the world is revealed in the life of Jesu
Out Of The Whirlwind -- Job 38:1-7 (34-41) -- John A. Stroman -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 1999
God answers Job out of the whirlwind.
Seven Habits Of Highly Effective Christians -- 2 Kings 5:1-14 -- William L. Self -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 1999
Naaman was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper.
Turning The Tables -- John 2:13-22 -- Donna E. Schaper -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 1999
A man feared his wife was going deaf. He tried an experiment.
Making Love Visible -- 1 John 3:16-24 -- John A. Stroman -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
How do you like being addressed as "little children"?
Confession -- Job 42:1-6, 10-17 -- John A. Stroman -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 1999
Job got what he wanted. He got a chance to present his case before God and to hear God's response.
Forever Plaid -- Isaiah 43:18-25 -- William L. Self -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B -- 1999
A few years ago there was a popular off-Broadway musical which gave a good insight into how life was
Paying Attention To The Modern Light -- John 3:14-21 -- Donna E. Schaper -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 1999
We were all asked to bring our church's Bibles to the annual meeting of the Association as part of t
Heaven And Hope -- 1 John 3:1-7 -- John A. Stroman -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
The theme of 1 John all along has been the love of God.

Stories

The Political Pulpit

Worship

SermonStudio

Be Alert/Be Prepared -- Mark 13:24-37 -- Wayne H. Keller -- First Sunday of Advent - B
The Community Readies Itself For The Coming MessiahChoral Invitation
The Rich Young Man, His and the Disciples' Surprise -- Mark 10:17-31 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B
Celebrating God's Presence And Power
Lent -- Wayne H. Keller
LentThe Season Of RenewalLiturgical Color: Purple
Preparing the Way -- Mark 1:1-8 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Second Sunday of Advent - B
The Community Readies Itself For The Coming MessiahChoral Invitation
A Matter of Power -- Mark 10:35-45 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B
Celebrating God's Presence And Power
Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Maundy Thursday - B
Consider a silent communion with the worshipers focused on the Cross and communion table still cover
Witnessing and Previewing -- John 1:6-8, 19-28 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Third Sunday of Advent - B
The Community Readies Itself For The Coming MessiahChoral Invitation
Blind Bartimaeus Receives His Sight -- Mark 10:46-52 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B
Celebrating God's Presence And PowerPastoral and Congregational Invitation
The Triumphal Entry -- Mark 11:1-11; 14:1-15:47; or 15:1-39 (40-47) -- Wayne H. Keller -- Passion Sunday - B
We Offer Ourselves In The Spirit Of The Living ChristNote:
Announcing, to Mary, the birth of Jesus -- Luke 1:26-38 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B
The Community Readies Itself For The Coming MessiahChoral Invitation
The Greatest Commandment -- Mark 12:28-34 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B
Celebrating God's Presence And Power
Receiving the Holy Spirit, Who is the Present Tense of Christ in the World -- John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Day of Pentecost - B
Consider this:
The Season Of Expectancy -- Wayne H. Keller
AdventLiturgical Color: Purple/Blue
The Death and Raising of Lazarus -- John 11:32-44, Matthew 5:1-12 -- Wayne H. Keller -- All Saints Day - B
Celebrating God's Presence And Power
The Contrast Between Those Who Parade Their Faith, And Those Who Refuse To Call Attention to Themselves -- Mark 12:38-44 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B
Celebrating God's Presence And PowerPastoral and Congregational Invitation
More Signs of the End of the Age -- Mark 13:24-31 -- Wayne H. Keller
Celebrating God's Presence and Power
Jesus Appears to the Disciples -- Luke 24:44-53 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Ascension of the Lord - B
An Invitation To Ascension SundayPastoral Invitation (Pastor and Ministers)
Signs of the End of the Age and the Horror of That Day -- Mark 13:1-8, 14-23 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B
Celebrating God's Presence And PowerPastoral and Congregational Invitation
Mark 1:40-45; 2:1-12; 2:18-22, Mark 2:1-12, Mark 2:18-22 -- Wayne H. Keller
Proper OneEpiscopal: Mark 1:40-45Proper Two
Ash Wednesday -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Ash Wednesday - B
After everyone leaves the sanctuary on Fat Tuesday, and before anyone enters the sanctuary on Ash We
Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath -- Mark 2:23--3:6 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - B
Celebration Through PraisePastoral Invitation (Pastor and Ministers)
John the Baptist Beheaded -- Mark 6:14-29 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B
AdorationInvitation to the Celebration (Pastor and Ministers)
The Wise Men's Visit -- Matthew 2:1-12, Mark 1:4-11 -- Wayne H. Keller -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B
The Ekklesia Gathers To CelebratePastoral Invitation
Jesus and Beelzebub -- Mark 3:20-35 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B
Celebration Through PraisePastoral Invitation (Pastor and ministers)
Jesus Feeds the 5,000 Men, Plus Women and Children -- Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B
AdorationPastoral Invitation (Pastor and Ministers)
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 10 | OT 15 | Pentecost 5
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 11 | OT 16 | Pentecost 6
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 12 | OT 17 | Pentecost 7
34 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
26 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: You may present this message as a simple story, or have the children act it out as a role-play. I will show the role-play version, but you can ignore the acting pieces and just tell the story if you prefer.

Note: For the role-play version, you will need to select two girls and one boy to play the roles. You might also have a broom and a dust rag if you want to.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Great! Let’s get started.

The Immediate Word

Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
George Reed
Katy Stenta
For July 20, 2025:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Amos 8:1-12, Psalm 52
Amos proclaims the word from God that punishes the people. The people are to be punished for their lack of faith, for their focus on practicing deceit, betraying honesty to their neighbors, and being impatient for the time after the Sabbath when they can focus on profit and selling their crops and wares. Oh, my! What a terrible message for people. You have been unfaithful so I will punish you. And then in the psalm, God is proclaimed to be the olive tree, that which brings blessing.
David Kalas
I have tried to find different ways of saying it so that my children don’t tire of hearing it. But the basic principle remains the same, and my kids have heard it a ton. “First things first.” They ask if they can do this or they start to do that, and I will endeavor to redirect them, saying, “Why don’t we make sure we’re doing first things first!”

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church. (v. 24)

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
One of Martha's earliest memories was of her little sister Mary singing and dancing in the middle of an admiring crowd of friends. Mary had always been a dancer, from the time she could walk. Privately, Martha thought she'd always been something of a show-off and ought to go on the stage, for Mary loved an audience.

SermonStudio

John E. Sumwalt
Jeanne Jones
Several years ago, before we moved to Wisconsin, I was an honorary nanny for our pastor's son, Jonathan. I took care of him from the time he was able to walk until our pastor moved, when Jonathan was about five. We had wonderful times together. One time, when I was at their house, and we had been doing some spiritual direction together, Pastor Michael asked me if I knew the name of my guardian angel.
James Evans
We are not surprised when we learn about crooks and robbers boasting about "mischief done against the godly" or "plotting destruction" all day long. The image we have in our minds about who "bad" people are, and how they conduct themselves, make such accusations completely plausible. We are less inclined to believe such things about leaders, especially respected leaders among us. We have difficulty believing someone with wealth and power would deliberately plot to do someone else harm.
Arley K. Fadness
Today's gospel from Luke 10 follows the parable of the good Samaritan. Luke positions the good Samaritan and the Mary-Martha story back to back for good reason. The parable and the story are examples of the Great Commandment "to love the Lord your God with all your heart and your neighbor as yourself." The good Samaritan parable illustrates "love to neighbor," whereas the Mary-Martha story illustrates "love to God."
Kirk R. Webster
In the early 1990s, Wesley Nunley of Dallas completed a project he had dreamed of for decades. "I tell you, this could be a big thing," he explained. Wes then walked out to a concrete octagon in the middle of his backyard. With a beaming smile, arms raised up in excitement, the energetic retiree said, "This welcomes the UFO to land, which has never been done before."
John W. Wurster
It was the best of times. A time of prosperity and confidence, a time of relative peace, a time when most everything looked pretty good, a time when most everyone felt pretty good. It was a time maybe not unlike our own time.
H. Burnham Kirkland
Words Of Assurance
Our God is both wise and caring: afflicting the comfortable and comforting the afflicted.

Pastoral Prayer
God, we bow before you this morning, knowing that you hear every prayer. We know that in all of Creation, you are the source of life. You are the one who set the light swirling between the galaxies. The breath of your Spirit pulses through all life. You have even become flesh among us. We praise you, Lord, that in all your wonder, you have not forgotten us.

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